VIBRATION PROBLEMS?
Balance
is only part of the solution.
At 60 miles per
hour, an average size tire rotates
850 time per minute. At this speed,
slight variations in balance,
sidewall stiffness or roundness can
cause the wheel to literally slam
into the pavement 14 times a second. |
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The ultra-sensitive road feel of today's
vehicles gives drivers a hands-on detection
of vibration, a warning of potential
problems. |
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Unchecked,
excessive wheel vibration can result in
expensive damages and unsafe driving
conditions such as:
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Excessive Tire Wear
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Damage to Suspension and Steering
Components
-
Unsafe Steering and Handling
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The Hunter GSP9700 uses a
"road roller" to perform a computer
simulated road test, isolating & measuring
the exact cause of wheel-related vibration. |
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What Causes Excessive
Wheel Vibration?
Wheels out of balance |
Static wheel balancing uses a single weight
plane and only addresses "up-and-down"
imbalance. This is simply not adequate for
today's vibration sensitive vehicles.
Dynamic wheel balancing uses two weight
planes. This eliminates "up-and-down" and
"side-to-side" imbalance. Dynamic, two plane
wheel balance should always be requested,
even on custom wheels when hidden weights
are required.
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Static wheel balance measures
only "up and down." |
Dynamic
wheel balance also
measures from "side to side." |
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Wheel Force Variation |
A
perfectly balanced tire can still vibrate
due to Force Variation.
Wheel Force Variation is most frequently due
to wheel runout or uneven tread or sidewall
stiffness in the tire. Runout is when a tire
or rim is out of round when rolling;
frequent causes are a bent rim or uneven
tire wear.
Uneven tread or sidewall stiffness can be
found in new or worn tires. Tires by design
are never uniformly flexible throughout nor
are they perfectly round. And no two tires
are exactly alike in these characteristics.
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An out
of round tire (runout)
causes wheel vibration. |
A stiff
spot hitting the
pavement causes vibration. |
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How Wheel Force Variation is Corrected |
1. Match mounting a tire and rim by matching
the high point or stiff spot in the tire
with the lowest spot in the rim, can make
the wheel "round when rolling."
2. In some cases a wheel is so out of round
it should be replaced.
3. In some cases a tire with excessive Force
Variation is defective.
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OEM
Match Mounting matches a high
point or stiff spot on a tire... |
with the
low spot on the rim,
for maximum roundness. |
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Tire Pressure and Wheel Alignment |
Improper tire pressure and/or misalignment
causes irregular tire wear which creates and
amplifies imbalance, resulting in wheel
vibration. Alignment can be adjusted and
wheels serviced to reduce or stop the
vibration. Ask your technician.
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Steering and Suspension Components |
Steering and suspension components need
periodic inspection. They can eventually
wear out resulting in wheel vibration.
Excessive wheel vibration from other causes
can also shorten steering and suspension
component life.
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Other Hidden Causes of Wheel Vibration |
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- Wheel
to axle mounting error
- Brake
component wear or failure
- Drive
train or engine component wear or
failure
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Vehicle component characteristics
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A
knowledgeable technician with proper
training and equipment can diagnose these
problems. But, the
only way to rule out all wheel-related
vibration is with the Hunter GSP9700
Vibration Control System.
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